History of The Iconic Cheongsam.

Who bought a cheongsam for CNY?

Did you know that Shanghai is the birthplace of the cheongsam in the 1920s? From the demure dress, the cheongsam started to evolve through the 1930s and 1940s. The fit started to accentuate the femininity and sexuality of the urban Chinese woman. The dress became more fitted and body-hugging, with some daring designs featuring side slits that reached up to the thigh. It became customary to pair the dress with high heels. Women experimented with different fastenings, pipings, and collars, as well as short-capped sleeves, long sleeves with fur-lined cuffs, and sleeveless cheongsams. mint green color items dressed by bridesmaid on sale

Later when the communist took over, the streets were patrolled to ensure that nobody wore fashionable clothing. Instead all females were made to wear a khaki green pyjamas looking bland outfit, just like the men.

Hong Kong was under British rule at that time, and the cheongsam became everyday wear in the 1950s. It was like a "suck you lah you communists, we will look sexy and beautiful, so there" defiance. Under the influence of European fashion, it was typically worn with high heels, a leather clutch, and white gloves.

Later, women preferred to wear more modern clothing, like us lah, and so the cheongsams were only used on special occasions.

Honestly, I didn't wear any cheongsams in my 20s and my 30s. In my late 30s, my husband suggested I buy one because he *cough* loved the look. I bought a cheap one for RM69 from Sg Wang with a stretchy material and it fit like a glove. ? I had strangers come up to me and comment how beautiful the cheongsam was and that sealed it. After that, I would look for a fitting cheongsam and wear it during the CNY season. If you choose a correct one, it will give you that famous much sought after "Korean S line" look.

Nowadays, tribes of women will go for high tea during CNY celebrating the "Shanghai" aesthetics together. It's so much fun. You'll see tons of your friends doing it, and you'd probably see it on Instagram and FB ?

Happy hunting if you decide to go buy one :-)